I've been looking for frictionless ways to retain and aggregate information from the vast amount I consume daily, essentially building a "second brain." For about a year, I tried tools like Web Highlights to gather and organize information. However, I frequently ran into issues like paywalls I couldn't justify or critical missing features.
During this weekend, I finally decided to tackle it with a more robust self-built approach. The result? A simple, effective solution using Hypothes.is and an iOS shortcut that I will likely continue to develop and fine tune.
Step 1: Duplicate the iOS Shortcut
Start by duplicating this iOS shortcut:
Hypothes.is v3 Shortcut
Step 2: Update Your API Key and Username in the iOS shortcut
To make the shortcut work, you’ll need to link it to your Hypothes.is account. Here’s how:
- Find Your Username:
- Log in to your Hypothes.is account.
- Navigate to your profile or check the URL:
https://hypothes.is/users/<YOUR_USERNAME>
(Note: Your username is not your email address.)
- Get Your API Key:
- Go to your account settings under “Developer”:
- Hypothes.is Developer Account
- Update the Shortcut:
- Open the shortcut in the Shortcuts app.
- Replace the placeholder username and API key with your credentials—I've marked them with <XXX>.
Step 3: Start Using the Shortcut
Once set up, you’re ready to go!
- While browsing on iOS, click the Share button.
- Select the Hypothes.is v3 Shortcut.
- The shortcut will copy the selected content as a quote, allowing you to add an annotation if desired.
- Once you hit Done, you can:
- Continue reading.
- Check the output log.
- Visit the Hypothes.is website to view your annotations.
This setup has been a game-changer, letting me quickly capture and organize insights without relying on costly services or dealing with missing features. I hope it helps you streamline your own information management!
Feel free to share feedback or ask questions :)